The White House on Tuesday reportedly detailed a new sweeping enforcement effort targeting homeless encampments in the nation’s capital, signaling an aggressive shift in public safety policy under President Trump’s recently announced federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
“The homeless problem has ravaged the city,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
She said the administration will require homeless individuals to accept one of several options — relocation to a shelter, access to addiction or mental health services — or face fines and potential jail time if they refuse.
The initiative builds on actions already underway since March, when Mr. Trump signed his “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful” executive order.
According to Ms. Leavitt, U.S. Park Police have cleared 70 homeless encampments in recent months, with the two remaining sites scheduled for removal this week.
“This is about enforcing laws that have been completely ignored,” Ms. Leavitt said, citing D.C. Code 22-1307 and municipal regulation 24-100, which grant the MPD authority to address encampments. “We will be using these regulations and code that already exists to clean up our streets.”
The president’s actions come as crime and public disorder have emerged as dominant concerns in Washington. Over the weekend, Mr. Trump urged homeless people in the city to “move out, IMMEDIATELY” while pledging to provide accommodations “FAR from the Capital.” The administration is still “exploring” that option, Ms. Leavitt confirmed.
Under the new enforcement plan, those living in encampments will be given the opportunity to enter a shelter or receive addiction and mental health treatment.
Refusal will leave them subject to the city’s existing penalties. “Homeless shelters, offered addiction and mental health services, or jail, if they refuse, are the options on the table right now,” Ms. Leavitt said.
Mr. Trump last week declared a public safety emergency in Washington and invoked provisions of the Home Rule Act to assume direct federal control of the MPD for 30 days.
Any extension would require a joint resolution from Congress. The president appointed Terry Cole, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, to oversee MPD operations during the takeover.
“As for the timing, we will reevaluate and reassess and make further decisions after this 30-day period is up,” Ms. Leavitt said. “But within these 30 days, our entire focus is making sure that this is the most efficient operation possible.”
The administration insists the changes are necessary to restore order and make the capital “safe and beautiful” again. Supporters argue that for too long, city leaders have allowed encampments to grow unchecked, creating public safety hazards and contributing to crime.
“We look forward to working alongside the Metropolitan Police Department,” Ms. Leavitt said. “And we did that last night, successfully, and we hope we can do that for the next 29 nights.”
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